JAINA Rejects Violent Religious Extremism in Paris

Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA) is deeply saddened by the terrorist attack in Paris. There is no justification for this act of violence; it grossly distorts the message of Islam and is a source of anguish to all sincere believers. We note with appreciation the statement issued by many interfaith leaders around the globe.

As the world's largest Jain coalition, we stand together in the categorical rejection of violent religious extremism that is used to justify terrorism or any other form of violence in the name of religion. This ideology is misguided, as the primary narrative of each religion is Peace-not violence. The attack in Paris is an attack on all of humanity; it debases a religious tradition holy to 1.6 billion people and leaves us all vulnerable and insecure. Our diverse religious traditions call us to stand united in solidarity with the dignity, vulnerability and well-being of the "other," with the full force of our respective spiritual and moral teachings.

As religious leaders, we accept a special responsibility to reject, condemn and take action against violent religious extremism. We are committed to mobilizing the great resources of our respective religious traditions to take action together to help promote non-violence. Through the cooperation of religious communities, governments, intergovernmental bodies and other civil society actors, it will be possible to not only counter violent religious extremism, but also to build the common good that honors human dignity and advances the flourishing of the global family towards Peace & Non-violence.

Prem Jain

President

Comments...

Jai Jinendra! Thanks to JAINA leadership for promptly denouncing the terror attacks in Paris and elsewhere. We must apply Lord Mahavir's simple teaching to conquer hearts with tolerance and dialog, and to advocate for utmost restraint by all parties from engaging in further mental, verbal, and physical violence.